Combination Hunting Stand and Cart

ABSTRACT

Herein disclosed is a platform apparatus which attaches to the top of a conventional ladder or extension ladder, and a wheeled apparatus which attaches to said ladder, thus forming a single composite apparatus. Said composite apparatus can then operate as a cart for transporting itself, equipment and other loads to and from usage locations, and said composite apparatus can operate as an elevated platform when attached to a tree or similar elevated surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING USINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURE BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Challenges common to hunting include the need to hunt from varyingelevated positions, and the need to transport equipment and carcasses.While solutions incorporating platforms, ladders and wheels have alreadybeen proposed and patented, deficiencies still exist in these solutions,due to only partially addressing all the criteria for a solution to beeffective and marketable.

These additional criteria include but are not limited to the following:

-   -   incorporates the use of a conventional extension ladder;    -   adapts to ladders of varying shapes and dimensions;    -   operates silently;    -   adapts to wheels of varying types and diameters;    -   positions cart wheels wide enough to permit climbing said        ladder;    -   adjusts easily the position of wheels along the length of said        ladder;    -   switches easily from cart to stand to cart again;    -   attaches to a variety of elevated surfaces like trees, poles and        walls;    -   attaches to a variety tree types—straight or crooked, smooth or        branched;    -   attaches safely and securely to a range of diameters of tree (or        pole);    -   disassembles easily, so the incorporated ladder could be used        normally;    -   preserves the incorporated ladder's structural integrity;    -   designed for economical fabrication.

A solution meeting all the above criteria would both differentiateitself from all prior art while also being cost-effective to fabricateand easy to use.

No current prior art meets all the above criteria.

The present invention does meet all the above criteria, and in so doingdifferentiates itself from all prior art.

-   -   The present invention can be attached to a conventional 2-piece        or even 3-piece extension ladder;    -   The present invention possesses adjustable attachment        apparatuses enabling it to be attached to a wide variety of        ladder shapes and dimensions;    -   The present invention attaches firmly to its incorporated ladder        and utilizes wheels and axles with zero free play. These ensure        silent operation;    -   The present invention uses side-mounted axles which enable a        wide variety of wheels diameters to be attached;    -   The present invention uses side-mounted axles and wheels which        create a gap between the wheels sufficient to enable a wide        range of operator sizes to readily climb the incorporated        ladder;    -   The present invention permits the attachment of wheels anywhere        along the length of the incorporate ladder, to within 6 inches        of either end of said ladder;    -   The present invention easily switches from cart to stand to cart        again in less than 1 minute;    -   The present invention can be attached to a variety of trees,        poles and walls;    -   The present invention can be attached securely to a range of        diameters of tree or poles;    -   The present invention readily disassembles in minutes, enabling        the incorporate ladder or extension ladder to continue to be        used for additional non-hunting purposes;    -   The present invention attaches to the incorporated ladder using        only fasteners and attachment points which preserve said        ladder's structural integrity;    -   The present invention is designed for simple economical        fabrication.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a pair of apparatuses: a platform apparatuscapable of being attached to a ladder; and a wheel apparatus alsocapable of being attached to said ladder. The resulting assemblycomprised of said platform apparatus, said ladder and said wheelapparatus can then be operated as both a hand cart and an elevatedplatform or stand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1

#1—Ladder

#2—Platform Apparatus

#3—Wheel Apparatus

FIG. 2

#1—Ladder

#2—Platform Apparatus

#3—Wheel Apparatus

FIG. 3

#2—Platform Apparatus

#4—Platform Apparatus Handle

#5—Platform Apparatus Frame

#6—Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket

#7—Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket

FIG. 4

#1—Ladder

#3—Wheel Apparatus

#8—Wheel Apparatus Wheel

#9—Ladder Attachment Bracket

#10—Wheel Apparatus Axle

#11—Ladder Attachment Mechanism

FIG. 5

#1—Ladder

#2—Platform Apparatus

#4—Platform Apparatus Handle

#5—Platform Apparatus Frame

#6—Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket

#7—Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket

FIG. 6

#2—Platform Apparatus

#4—Platform Apparatus Handle

#5—Platform Apparatus Frame

#6—Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket

#7—Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket

FIG. 7

#3—Wheel Apparatus

#8—Wheel Apparatus Wheel

#9—Ladder Attachment Bracket

#10—Wheel Apparatus Axle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of PlatformApparatus 2 and a Wheel Apparatus 3 fabricated from aluminum tubing andaluminum plates welded together and attached to a Ladder 1 as shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows the present invention attached to a Ladder 1, enabling saidladder attached to the present invention to be operated as a hand cart.

FIG. 2 shows the present invention attached to said Ladder 1, enablingsaid ladder connected to the present invention to be operated as anelevated platform. The present invention is positioned so that thePlatform Apparatus 2 is attached securely to a surface in a tree, apole, a wall or similar elevated location.

FIG. 3 shows Platform Apparatus 2. Platform Apparatus Frame 5 is formedfrom welded aluminum tubing and aluminum plate. To the side of PlatformApparatus Frame 5 which contacts an elevated surface is attached aplurality of Platform Apparatus Handle 4. To the side of PlatformApparatus 5 which contacts said ladder is attached a plurality of LadderAttachment Upper Bracket 6. To each Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket 6 isattached a Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket 7 in such a way that saidplates can shift position relative to each other, enabling the PlatformApparatus 2 to be attached to ladders of varying dimensions. PlatformApparatus 2 is attached to Ladder 1 using said plurality of LadderAttachment Lower Bracket 7.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of Platform Apparatus 2 in operation as anelevated platform. Ladder Attachment Upper Bracket 6 is attached nearthe side of Platform Apparatus Frame 5 contacting said ladder. LadderAttachment Lower Bracket 7 is attached to Ladder Attachment UpperBracket 6. Ladder 1 is attached to Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket 7. Aplurality of Platform Apparatus Handle 4 is attached to said elevatedsurface.

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of Platform Apparatus 2 more clearlyillustrating the plurality of Platform Apparatus Handle 4 and pluralityof Ladder Attachment Lower Bracket 7.

FIG. 6 shows an overhead view and side view of said Wheel Apparatus 2.Said apparatus is fabricated from aluminum structural bar stock weldedto aluminum structural angle extrusions to form a Ladder AttachmentBracket 9 to which is attached a plurality of Wheel Apparatus Axle 10.To said Wheel Apparatus 3 is attached a plurality of Wheel ApparatusWheel 8. Wheel Apparatus 3 is then attached to said Ladder 1 usingLadder Attachment Mechanism 11 in such a way that Ladder 1 can now beoperated as a hand cart as shown in FIG. 1.

The present invention can then be used as an elevated platform bypositioning said ladder in contact with said elevated surface, as shownin FIG. 2. If said ladder is capable of extending, additional elevationof the Platform Apparatus 2 can be achieved by extending Ladder 1, thenpositioning said ladder in contact with said elevated surface.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed overhead and side view of said Wheel Apparatus 3with said ladder not displayed. Ladder Attachment Bracket 9 can beclearly seen connected to a plurality of Wheel Apparatus Wheel 8 and aplurality of Wheel Apparatus Axle 10. Note that Ladder AttachmentBracket 9 can be adjusted to attach to ladders of varying dimensions.

In another embodiment the present invention could be fabricated fromsteel or other metal tubing, steel or other structural angle metal, woodor plastic or composites.

In another embodiment the present invention could be fabricated frommolded plastic.

In another embodiment the present invention could be fabricated with aplurality of more than two wheels that could be attached to Ladder 1.

In another embodiment the present invention could be fabricated withnon-rigid folding joints so that both the Platform Apparatus 2 and theWheel Apparatus 3 could be made to fold or otherwise collapse for easeof storage and ease of shipment.

In another embodiment the present invention could include a plurality ofapparatus attached to Platform Apparatus 2 to be used for storage.

In the working prototype, the material used is welded steel structuraltubing, structural plate, structural bar stock and structural angleextrusions.

In the best mode, the present invention is fabricated by weldingaluminum structural tubing, structural plate and aluminum structural barstock to form a rigid Platform Apparatus 2, and welding aluminumstructural bar stock and aluminum structural angle extrusions andattaching axles and wheels to form Wheel Apparatus 3.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatuses which can be attached to aconventional ladder or extension ladder in order to enable said ladderoperate as both a cart when said ladder is on the ground, and as anelevated platform when said ladder is placed against a tree or similarelevated surface; comprising: a platform apparatus, capable of beingattached to the top of said ladder, making it possible to sit or standat the top of said ladder when said ladder is placed against a tree orsimilar elevated surface; a wheel apparatus, capable of being attachedto said ladder, making it possible to transport the ladder as one woulda cart.
 2. A platform apparatus from claim 1 comprising: a platformappliance having a structure with an upper surface acting as a platform,a lower surface, a front surface and a rear surface; a ladder attachmentappliance secured to lower front surface of said platform appliance, andpossessing adjustable brackets to enable attachment of said platformapparatus to the top of said ladder, allowing operation with ladders ofvariable dimensions; a tree attachment appliance attached near the rearsurface of said platform apparatus, shaped to permit attachment avariety of diameters of tree or similar surface, and possessing aplurality of appendages to enable secure attachment of said platformapparatus to said tree or similar surface; and
 3. A wheel apparatus fromclaim 1 comprising: a ladder attachment appliance having an adjustableframed structure capable of adapting to ladders of varying width, and ofbeing secured to said ladder, with adjustable securements enabling saidappliance to be attached at varying locations along the length of saidladder; and a plurality of wheels and axles attached to said ladderattachment appliance.